U-20 USNWT Advance to Semis of 2016 Women's World Cup
Getting to the heart of the matter, the United States' under-20 Women's National Team is quite fortunate to be advancing to the U-20 Women's World Cup Semi-Finals. Throughout the entire first half, they did nothing on offense. They had no more than three shots anywhere near Mexico's goal, while their counterparts were consistently on the attack. That persistence paid off in the 66th minute of the second half, after a free kick was awarded to El Tri. Maria Sanchez was set up just in front of the penalty box, leaning towards the left goal post. She blasted the ball passed the American wall, and it then rolled passed the goal line at the lower left corner of the goal. Mexico was now up 1-0 with less than 30 minutes to go.
As one would expect, the U.S. opened things up offensively, and even brought in Ally Watt. The strategic move paid dividends when she scored in the 81st minute. Watt had gotten the ball in the penalty box, charged towards the goal, and with her left foot, shot it passed the goalkeeper. The game was now level at 1-1.
For the rest of regulation, each team went back and forth, doing their best to get a goal to avoid extra time. Try as they might, it seemed as if the game was destined for extra time. Then, at the 90+3' mark, Ashley Sanchez had gotten possession of the ball, rushed up the right side, and crossed the ball in to the penalty box. The ball headed towards Mallory Pugh, but she lifted her leg up to let it passed her. Kelcie Hedge ended up with the ball, and she blasted into the back of the net. With only a minute left, the U.S. had gone up 2-1. The Americans held on for the final minute, and moved on to the Semi-finals.
